Did You Know?
Now Is a Great Time to Buy a New TV
Smart By Brad Tuttle | @bradrtuttle | March 7, 2012 | 2inShare.0 Log In with FacebookSharing TIME stories with friends is easier than ever. Add TIME to your Timeline. Learn MoreXSharing With Friends Add TIME to your Timeline to automatically share TIME stories, photos and videos with your Facebook friends. Share Only the Stories You Want TIME will alert you each time a story is shared and you\'ll have the option to keep or remove each story from your Facebook Timeline. Plus, view \"Your Activity\" to see a history of stories you\'ve read and remove stories from your Timeline. Ryan McVay / Getty ImagesIn order to make shelf space for new models that will be arriving in stores soon, retailers are discounting the units they still have in stock. What’s more, a new incentive system will be introduced this spring, making it a lot less likely for stores to mark down TVs in the future as dramatically as they have in the past. Electronics manufacturers are tired of seeing their prized creations sold at substantial discounts off the original MSRP. TV prices dropped during the 2011 holiday shopping and continued getting cheaper into 2012, but manufacturers seem to be saying that enough is enough. According to HD Guru, the newest Samsung and Sony TVs will be rolled out in stores in the coming months with what’s known as a unilateral pricing program (UPP). Under such a scenario, retailers—or, more likely, e-retailers—are penalized for selling a TV below Sony or Samsung’s preset price. (MORE: Why This Tuesday Is One of the Worst Days of the Year to Buy a New Car) How are retailers penalized? A Consumer Reports post explains, by way of comparing UPP with MAP, or Minimum Advertised Pricing, which is currently the most popular system: With MAP pricing, a manufacturer can cut off co-op advertising funds if a retailer advertised a TV below a minimum price, which is why you often have to actually go through an online retailer’s checkout before the price become visible. If the retailer is willing to lose those funds, it can sell the TV for whatever price it wants. Once UPP is in effect, however, Sony and Samsung will have more leverage than simply the power to withdraw advertising funds. Under the new agreements, manufacturers can also cut off the store’s supply of the units, leaving them with nothing to sell: So basically, the TV’s actual selling price is being set by the manufacturer, leaving little wiggle room for dealers to out-discount their competitors. (MORE: 7 Strategies to Stop Procrastinating) The bottom line is that when the new TVs arrive in stores at the end of March or early April, retailers will have little choice but to sell them at a price determined by the manufacturer. Or at least that’s how things are expected to play out. Right now, however, stores aren’t facing such restrictions, and leftover units are being sold at closeout prices, often close to 50% off their original MSRPs Read more: http://moneyland.time.com/2012/03/07/why-right-now-is-a-great-time-to-buy-a-new-hdtv/#ixzz1tR2GM2hx
Energy Savings
Electronics What\'s New Powering electronic devices can cost you almost as much as powering your kitchen appliances. Half of U.S. homes have three or more TVs, 39 percent have multiple computers, and 44 percent have four or more rechargeable devices. Then there are roughly 160 million set-top boxes, each consuming substantial power, more than a refrigerator in some cases when used with a high-definition digital video recorder. Electronics and appliances account for 30 cents of every dollar you spend on electricity. Appliances have become more efficient, but increased use of electronics has offset those gains, according to the Energy Information Administration. The Department of Energy is looking into mandatory energy-use standards for TVs and set-top boxes, but it\'s likely to be years before those are adopted. Consumer Reports also advocates for increasing retail competition so that you have more purchasing options for set-top boxes. What Works Set computers to hibernate when they aren\'t in use. Though no federal efficiency standard exists for TVs, those made after May 10, 2011, are required to have EnergyGuide labels. Use labels to compare estimated annual energy costs among similarly sized models. The EnergyGuide\'s numbers are based on a TV\'s energy use in out-of-the box mode, which doesn\'t necessarily offer the best picture quality. The annual energy costs in our Ratings (available to subscribers) are based on the electrical use when each set is optimized for picture quality. Our TV Ratings (available to subscribers) also indicate picture and sound quality, and ease of use. Regarding set-top boxes, ask your cable company about replacing your current box with one that meets Energy Star\'s 3.0 specifications, effective Sept. 1, 2011. Also inquire about whole-house DVRs, which can eliminate the need for an energy-intense recording device on each TV. And unplug set-top boxes on seldom-used TVs. If you receive free, over-the-air digital TV signals via an antenna, you can even do away with the box, supplementing network broadcasts with online movies and shows streamed to an Internet-connected TV, Blu-ray player, or game console. What to Think Twice About Hanging onto an early-model plasma TV can be as bad as keeping an old energy-hungry refrigerator in the basement. Some of the first plasmas we tested in 2004 could cost well over $200 a year to operate. Manufacturers have improved plasma efficiency, possibly spurred by California\'s 2010 adoption of minimum-efficiency standard for TVs. You can now find large screens that cost $70 or less per year to run, and some 42- to 46-inch models have annual operating costs around $30. But LCDs are still the most efficient type of TVs, especially those with LED instead of fluorescent backlights. Energy All-Star The 55-inch LCD Samsung UN55D65000, $1,900, has a fine picture, and its annual energy cost, $29, is almost half that of some similar models.
tv recall index
using this website you can find the recalls for your tv. http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/prod.aspx
California outlaws large, power-hungry TVs
In a move that could spell the end of the plasma TV industry as we know it, the state of California agreed today to enact strict regulations on the amount of power televisions can consume, effectively outlawing most large plasma TVs as of January 1, 2011, with many more televisions set to be banned beginning January 1, 2013. The state had been concerned that 10 percent of a home\'s energy use is typically devoted to the TV and its related equipment, and that percentage has been increasing as consumers gain access to larger and larger (and cheaper and cheaper) televisions, which command an ever-increasing hunger for power. The new rules go into effect a little more than a year from now: On January 1, 2011, televisions will be required to reduce energy consumption by an average of 33 percent. In 2013, a second tier of restrictions will go into effect, with average energy consumption required to be reduced by 49 percent vs. today\'s levels. Rest assured, this doesn\'t mean the end of the television as we know it. As the California Energy Commission notes, as of now, over 1,000 televisions already meet the 2011 standards, so many manufacturers won\'t have to panic in order to comply with the regulations, at least for now. Those who will be heavily affected are manufacturers who make televisions that draw more than their fair share of juice. A formula related to the size of the TV\'s screen in square inches will be used to determine the maximum power draw allowed by a TV. For example, Panasonic\'s 54-inch VIERA plasma TV would be allowed to draw 281 watts of power in \"on mode.\" Today that set is rated to draw 293 watts of power. Smaller plasmas are generally OK under the 2011 specs, but virtually all of them fall short when put up against the 2013 rules. That same 54-inch plasma will be required to draw only 175 watts once 2013 arrives, a power reduction that just might not be possible. Bottom line: Most LCD televisions will be safe under the 2011 law, and many plasmas will as well, but come 2013, everyone\'s going to have to do some serious belt-tightening. All told, the new rules are expected to save 6,515 Gigawatt-hours annually in the state, save the state $8.7 billion in costs for additional power plants, and save consumers $8.1 billion a year in lower energy bills. One additional point of note: The new rules currently don\'t apply to very large TVs, those of 1,400 square inches or larger (roughly a 58\" set), although rules are likely to be enacted against these ultra-large sets in the second phase of this legislation
Thomson Cancells All Service Centers, THOMSON SERVICE CENTERS CANCELLED JULY 31
Dear Thomson Authorized Service Center: Effective June 30, 2009 Thomson will discontinue the management of Warranty Operations, TechLine, Parts and Field Service Support for RCA Televisions. TTE Technology, Inc. (???TTE???) has reached agreement with a new partner to manage these functions. Please see the attached press release for details. As a result of this action, your Authorized Service Center Agreement with Thomson is cancelled effective August 1, 2009. The items below provide detail for submitting in-warranty claims during this transition. *Claims started on or before July 31, 2009 must be completed and submitted in Service Bench before August 16, 2009. *For claims started on or before July 31, 2009 that cannot be completed and submitted by August 16, 2009 (e.g. due to parts availability, etc.), you will need to contact TTE to receive instructions on how to complete and submit these claims. *Beginning August 16, 2009, claims submitted in Service Bench will not be accepted. TTE contact information, further details on the process to repair RCA televisions after the transition, and how you can continue to service RCA televisions under warranty will be communicated within the next 30 days.
PWW Service Inc. (in Receivership)
To whom it may concern, On April 28, 2009, PWW Service Inc. was placed into Receivership. Please refer to the attached document with confirms Ernst & Young Inc.\'s Appointment as Receiver. The Receiver has been notified that your organization was a Service Centre for PWW. The purpose of this communication is to notify you of the Receivership and ascertain whether your company would be interested in submitting a proposal to purchase PWW\'s inventory which consists of parts and remote controls. Please let me know if your organization is interested in submitting a proposal. If so, I\'d be happy to forward you an inventory listing. Thanks, Peter Venetsanos (604) 648-3665 ERNST & YOUNG INC. In its capacity as Receiver of of Prima Electronics Inc. and PWW Service Inc. and not in its personal or corporate capacity
Energy vampires: Fact versus fiction
It\'s well-known that most electronic devices in our homes are sucking up energy even while they are turned off. But for all the information out there, many questions remain. I got hundreds of reader questions after writing the post What\'s wasting energy in your home right now. Below are answers to the five most common inquiries: Which electronic devices waste the most energy when they are turned off but still plugged in? Set-top cable boxes and digital video recorders are some of the biggest energy hogs. Unfortunately, there\'s little consumers can do since television shows can\'t be taped if boxes are unplugged. It also typically takes a long time to reboot boxes. However, some of the other major consumers of standby power are more easily dealt with: computers, multifunction printers, flat-screen TVs, DVDs, VCRs, CD players, power tools, and hand-held vacuums. The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) measured standby power for a long list of products. While it\'s true each individual product draws relatively little standby power, the LBNL says that when added together, standby power can amount to 10% of residential energy use. Why do electronic devices use energy when they are switched off? Electronics consume standby power for one of two reasons, says Chris Kielich of the Department of Energy. They either have an adapter that will continue to draw electricity, or they have devices (such as clocks and touchpads) that draw power. Anything with a remote control will also draw standby power, she says, since the device needs to be able to detect the remote when it\'s pushed. Does everything suck energy when it\'s plugged in and turned off? No. If your coffeemaker or toaster doesn\'t have a clock, then it\'s probably not using standby power, says Kielich. Chances are your hair dryer and lamps (although they may have a power adapter for the dimmer) are not drawing standby power either, she says. Devices with a switch that physically breaks the circuit don\'t consume standby power. Will switching things on and off shorten their life? Probably not, says Kielich. You\'d have to turn devices on and off thousands of times to shorten their lives. The real downside, she says, to unplugging electronics is that clocks and remotes will not work, and you do have to reset everything. Can you ruin batteries by unplugging battery chargers and causing batteries to completely discharge? It could be a possibility, says Kielich. Her advice: Don\'t let batteries get completely drained. But you don\'t need to have things like hand-held power vacuums and drills plugged into the charger when it\'s 100% charged, or even 50% charged. Power Strip FAQs Plugging electronics into a power strip and turning it off when you\'re not using it is a widely prescribed solution for curbing vampire power. Here are answers to common questions: Power strips draw energy when they are turned on, but not when they are switched off. Any decent power strip should have surge protection, according to Kielich. Flicking your power strip on and off will not create a power surge capable of damaging electronic devices. In fact, it will protect devices from other surges. Several readers were worried about the possibility of fires caused by plugging too many things in at once. If you plug in the allowed number of devices, then power strips are safe, says Kielich. Just don\'t plug your power strip into another power strip, or you run the risk of creating an overload. IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT IF THESE ELECTRONIC ITEMS ARE UNPLUG THEY WILL LOOSE THEIR SETTINGS AND MUST BE REPROGRAMED WHICH IS TIME CONSUMING . THE AVERAGE PERSON DOESN\'T KNOW HOW TO DO PROPERLY. SO IF YOU ARE ONE OF THESE PEOPLE THAT DOESN\'T KNOW HOW TO PROGRAM THESE DEVICES ,LEAVE THEM PLUGGED IN.
LG HAS 60P
LG Electronics (LG), a major player in the global flat panel display market, announced that it will demonstrate next generation 1920 x 1080/60p full HD video content at IFA 2007. LG’s 60p full HD TVs are capable of displaying twice as many frames per second as current 1920 x 1080/30p full HD TVs. The 60p full HD TVs offer sharper, smoother, and more stable images. LG’s next generation full HD TVs can display 60 frames per second at a 1920 x 1080 resolution. The “p” in 60p stands for progressive scan. These 60p TVs differ from 1920 x 1080/30p TVs that show only 30 frames per second and 1920 x 1080/60i or interlaced TVs that only refresh half the lines of resolution at a time. 60p-capable TVs can display a larger amount of information per second than any other type of televisions. Sixty-frame per second progressive scan technology dramatically reduces moiré effect and image noise, creating sharper images. The edges of round objects are clearer and free from jaggedness that has sometimes been evident with existing content. Moiré effect is an optical illusion that causes the appearance of lines across an image, degrading video quality and resolution.
Optical Block Extension due to expire
Optical Block Extension due to expire: E34500176 Bulletin number E34500176 covering the optical block on several models is due to expire next month. Please be aware of this to avoid any confusion in your billing department and to your customer base. The expiration date is 12/31/2008 and covers these models: • KF42WE620 • KF50WE620 • KDF42WE655 • KDF50WE655 • KDF55WF655 • KDF60WF655 • KDF55XS955 • KDF60XS955
RCA SOUND PROBLEM
Question: What Chassis are affected? Answer: CTC203, CTC197, and CTC195 Question: Does it affect only gemstar models? Answer: In a way....those 3 chassis all use the same micro ( not the same part#, the same capabilities ) whether they have gemstar installed in them or not - the micro will accommodate gemstar......easier to build them at the factory that way, rather than different micro\'s for \"with\" or \"without\" gemstar, so all of those chassis are susceptible to this problem whether or not gemstar is actually in the set. Question: Why exactly does it occur ? Answer: It\'s been identified to a non-standard signal originating in particular \"XDS box\" in the transmission chain (XDS means \"extra digital services\" and includes closed captioning, auto clock, program guides, VIR color levels, etc, all broadcast in the vertical interval).... the signal originating in this XBR box made by the \"XYZ\" company (name deleted) has 2 extra bits...It causes a buffer overload in the micro and mutes the sound....this XBR box does not truncate the data stream and the extra bits get broadcast.....there is pending litigation on this, the FCC and EIC is involved since they regulate what goes out over the airways. Question: Why does it just affect RCA\'s ? Answer: Well, it doesn\'t...Sony\'s Hitachi\'s and Philips are also affected.....the Sony\'s dropout video when it occurs...the Philips have the tint shift all the way to green, so RCA;s not alone in this. Question: Is anything being done ? Answer: A LOT ! \"QQQ company\", (name deleted) is helping the \"XYZ\" company develop software that will properly truncate the data stream. We haven\'t been ignoring it. As a matter of fact, we\'re very near the end, now...you\'re going to be getting MORE complaints about this in the next few weeks as it\'s being beta tested - they have to \"cause\" the problem during the testing to \"test\" the cure, so during this testing phase the trouble will be occuring often....hopefully it\'ll only be another 3 weeks.... refer customers who have this complaint to the manufacture\'s customer relations number 317-415-4151 as they\'ve been trained how to handle it. So there you have it, the complete story of a frustrating problem that is hopefully coming to an end. When those 2 offending bits are stripped off during the transmission process, it\'ll be all over.
toshiba 50hm66 and 56hm66
To ensure the satisfaction of our customers and to maintain the integrity and quality of our products, Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C. is issuing a product update regarding the 50HM66 and 56HM66 DLP televisions. Toshiba is committed to customer service and to continuously improving the quality of its products. Accordingly, we are advising you that in a limited number of 50HM66 and 56HM66 DLP TVs, a diagonal shadow may develop at the top of the screen after a number of hours of use (see example below). This results from a flawed light engine provided to Toshiba by a third party component supplier. If you own either a 50HM66 or a 56HM66, particular DLP television qualifies for a light engine replacement. The serial number can be located on the back panel of the television. Be assured that Toshiba DLP televisions are of the highest quality and this update regards a limited issue. This is not a safety issue.
converter boxes
Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez today announced that, nine months away from the digital television transition for all full-power broadcasters, one million coupons have been used as part of the NTIA TV Converter Box Coupon Program. (Acrobat PDF 59 Kb) Posted 05-06-2008 • Request Coupons: call 1-888-388-2009 or go to www.dtv2009.gov • Application Form for Requesting Coupons by Mail or Fax (Acrobat PDF 2,275 Kb) • Sample TV Converter Box Coupon (Acrobat PDF 55 Kb) • Authorized Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes (CECB) • CECB Manufacturer Information • Retailer Information (www.ntiadtv.gov) • TV Converter Box Coupon Program Logo (Acrobat PDF 380 Kb) • Frequently-Asked Questions for Viewers of Translators and Low Power Stations • Listing of Class A, Translator, and Low Power Stations by State • DTV Program Materials (PSAs, posters, articles, etc.) Federal Register Notice of Proposed Rule Making: Changes to TV Converter Box Coupon Program Regarding Households: NTIA proposes certain changes affecting its Digital-To-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program rules such as waiving the \"eligible household\" application requirements for individuals residing in nursing homes or other senior care facilities. Comments must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST, no later than June 9, 2008. (Acrobat PDF 73Kb)
Checking an electrolytic capacitor without an ESR meter
If you don\'t have an ESR meter for checking an electrolytic capacitor, you can get a good idea of its condition using a capacitance meter and a can of freezer. Connect the component under test to the meter, preferably via crocodile clips. If the capacitance reading is significantly below the nominal value, you need go no further. If, however, the reading seems to be OK, spray the capacitor with the freezer and observe the capacitance reading. With a faulty item, you will see the reading decrease fairly rapidly. Continue to apply freezer until the value is approximately 75% of what it should be to confirm that it is definitely faulty. This method has worked well for me for many years.
Digital TV gets a step closer
Vouchers to help pay for conversion to hit the mail By Chris Emery | Sun reporter February 18, 2008 1 2 next Article tools E-mail Share With the switch to all-digital television exactly a year away, vouchers to defray the cost of converter boxes necessary to keep older sets working will begin hitting the mail this week - and officials are urging people to request them early, as they are going fast. The federal government is offering each family up to two $40 vouchers to purchase the boxes, which will translate digital broadcast signals so they can be viewed on analog TVs. But the number of requests for the vouchers has been higher than predicted, raising concerns that the $1.5 billion set aside by the government might not be enough to meet consumer demand. \"There is not an unlimited supply of [vouchers] out there,\" said Shermaze Ingram, a spokeswoman for the National Association of Broadcasters. \"If you really think you need one, go ahead and get one. The last thing people want to do is try to get the coupon in late February next year.\" Ingram emphasized that owners of TVs connected to cable, satellite or fiber-optic services do not need converters for those televisions, as their providers will continue transmitting analog signals. The nearly 21 million households that depend completely on over-the-air broadcasts, however, will need to take some action before Feb. 17, 2009, when most TV stations will cease to broadcast analog signals. Purchasing a digital television - HD or standard definition - will solve the problem. So, too, will switching to cable or satellite service. But the least expensive option is using the government-subsidized vouchers to purchase a converter box. People can apply for the vouchers by mail, fax, online or through a telephone help line set up by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The deadline for filing an application is March 31, 2009, and the agency will begin mailing the coupons to applicants this week. The vouchers are valid for 90 days. Since NTIA began allowing people to apply for the vouchers at the beginning of the year, they\'ve received nearly 5 million requests. During a congressional hearing on the preparations for the digital transition on Wednesday, NTIA officials said the initial demand was higher than expected. They also received a large number of calls from Spanish-speakers, prompting the agency to hire more translators. In his testimony at the hearing, David K. Rehr, the president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, said he fears that the government could run out of vouchers. NAB spokeswoman Ingram, said the $1.5 billion currently set aside will cover about 33 million converter boxes. But about 38 million U.S. households have at least one set that uses an antenna to receive analog transmissions. Officials are also concerned that consumers will be caught unaware by the switch to digital or be confused about what steps they need to take. The government has allotted $20 million to fund campaigns to educate people, and Ingram said industry groups are ramping up their own outreach programs. They plan to reach consumers through TV commercials, speeches and appearances by trucks designed to look like televisions. But Joel Kelsey, a spokesman for Consumers Union, warned that current funding might not be enough - particularly to reach elderly and low-income viewers who will be most affected by the switch. \"It\'s my firm hope that the DTV transition will go swimmingly,\" he said. \"But we should be concerned that there are some consumers that are not being reached.\" A recent survey by Consumers Union found that three out of four households that would be affected by the change didn\'t know the converter box vouchers were available. Of the families surveyed, 42 percent said they had no plans to do anything to prepare for the change. \"Citizens and consumers didn\'t ask for the digital transition,\" Kelsey said. \"It\'s the job of the government to help them sort out some of the noise and understand the lowest-cost path.\" One point of confusion is the converter boxes themselves. EchoStar currently offers the cheapest box at $39.99, but boxes can cost upwards of $100. Some include extra features, such as built-in DVR for recording programs for later viewing, but simpler - and cheaper - boxes will do the job. A study released last week suggested consumers might want to beware when shopping for the boxes. The Maryland Public Interest Research Group found that sales clerks at retail chains were misleading broadcast viewers who were trying to prepare for the transition. About half of the clerks tried to \"up-sell\" consumers by directing them to more expensive products. The report found that many are confused by the digital transition and might end up buying expensive high-definition digital televisions, when all they need is a standard-definition digital set or a converter box. Most sets purchased before 2004 were analog TVs that cannot interpret over-the-air digital signals without a converter box. Newer sets may be capable of receiving digital broadcasts without a converter box. Experts said consumers should also be careful when shopping for antennas. While some companies are labeling their antennas as \"digital\" or \"HDTV,\" any antenna that can receive both VHF and UHF signals will work for receiving digital signals. Another concern raised by communications officials is that some converters won\'t be able to receive analog signals transmitted by so-called \"low-power\" stations, which will be allowed to continue broadcasting in analog after next February. They suggest consumers consider boxes that can pass analog signals through to the TV set. Boxes with this capability are noted on the list of converter boxes posted on the NTIA\'s Web site where consumers can apply for coupons. Even with a converter box, however, some viewers might find themselves without a picture. Unlike analog signals - which can be watched in varying degrees of clarity, digital signals are all or nothing. Some people who now receive a poor analog signal will receive a much clearer picture when they switch to digital, while others will see nothing but static. \"We refer to it as the \'cliff effect,\'\" said Kelly Williams, the senior director of engineering for the NAB. \"Your picture remains perfect until you slide off the cliff.\"
samsung new hd /blue ray dvd recorder
Samsung introduces BD-UP5000 Blu-Ray/HD DVD/DVD Combo player Jim Foster Editor/Assistant Manager – Training/Publications Samsung – the first company to introduce a Blu- Ray player, is proud to introduce its first Blu- Ray/HD DVD/DVD combo high definition player, the BD-UP5000. This player supports both HDDVD and Blu-Ray disc formats and their interactive technologies, Hdi and BD Java. These interactive technologies allow consumers to view additional movie content such as trailers, director’s comments, more elaborate interactive menus and behind the scenes footage via Internet connection. This player supports BD, HD DVD, DVD video, DVD-RW/-R (V mode and finalized only) discs and provides full HD 1080p playback. On Blu-Ray and HD DVD discs, two individual full HD video layers are available. One layer is assigned to video related graphics (such as subtitles), and the other layer is assigned to interactive elements, such as buttons or menus. Unlike a standard DVD, these menus can be accessed without stopping disc play. There are also Menu sounds available, when a menu option on a disc is selected, sounds can be heard such as button clicks or a voice-over explaining the highlighted menu choice. The BD-UP5000 allows consumers to view all HD movies available without the concern of competing formats and will help to encourage the adoption of Hi-Def in the marketplace. INSIDE TH IS ISSUE 1 Samsung
VIZIO AND SAMSUNG DO BATTLE FOR #1
News | Aug 27, 2007 Irvine’s Vizio Inc., a seller of flat-panel TVs, grabbed the No. 1 spot in its market in the second quarter in a coup that surprised industry watchers. Samsung introduces new LED backlight and 120hz LCD TVs Jim Foster Editor/Assistant Manager – Training/Publications Samsung has introduced two new LCD TVs, the LNT4071F/4671F/5271F and LNT4081F/4681F/5281F/5781F with advanced features that improve on an already excellent product. The LNT4071F/4671F/5271F has the Auto Motion Plus 120 Hz feature which removes drag from fast scenes with a lot of movement. The LNT 4081F/4681F/5281F/5781F has an LED based backlight system which replaces the Cold Cathode Fluorescent (CCF) tube with an LED array. The LED array allows individual sections of the screen to be controlled independently. Independent control allows Samsung to obtain contrast ratios of 500,000:1 compared to 7,000:1 in the CCF backlight system. Additionally, the replacement of the CCF backlight system with a silicon based product allows us to produce a more environmentally friendly design. Both models allow Detailed picture settings, which enable the customer to adjust the Black Level, Dynamic Contrast, Gamma (enables adjustment of the Primary Color (Red, Green Blue) Intensity), Color Space, White Balance, Edge enhancement and xvycc, which increases detail and color space when watching movies from an external device such as a DVD player. The addition of these new features is sure to keep Samsung at the forefront of LCD TV technology, and maintain our position as the industry leader.
BALLAST UPDATE (SAMSUNG)
Model: HLS**86WX/XAA, HLS**65WX/XAA, HLS**66WX/XAA, HLS**87WX/XAA, HLS**88WX/XAA, HLS**76SX/XAA Symptom: DLP TV immediate shutdown within a few minutes / Ballast PCB change. DLP TV shuts off within 3 MOST OF THESE SETS USE A BP96-01472A LAMP minutes because of defective ballast. Problem Range: March 2006 ~ Feb. 2007 production Cure: 1. Power on DLP TV. 2. Check whether TV shuts off or not within 3 minutes. 3. If TV shuts off in 3 minutes, replace both Ballast and Lamp. See note below. 4. If TV doesn\\\'t shut off but the picture is dark, replace the Lamp only. NOTE: The service parts code of the Ballast was changed from BP47-00033A to BP47-00037A in JAN,2007
hsl light tunnel quick fix
Tip for Aligning HLS**** Light Tunnel Tips to Speed up Light Tunnel Replacement and Adjustment Boris Mircev ASC Here are some tips to speed up light tunnel replacements and adjustments HLS series: To remove light tunnel assembly - Before removing light tunnel assembly, you should make a mark on screws and screw mounts in order to remember the screws’ original position. - Loosen both adjustment screws 3 turns (3 x 360 degrees) - When removing the old light tunnel, remove from it the double-sided yellow spacer felt and install on same side of the new light tunnel. - Before installing tunnel assembly in light engine you should use a little compressed air to remove pieces of loose glue from the old tunnel. - Reattach the back light tunnel assembly, tighten both adjustment screws 3 turns. - Most likely you will not need any adjustments. If adjustments are needed, see adjustments for HLR series below HLR series: - Loosen adjustment screws with a Philips screwdriver for 4.5 to 5 turns. Reinstall yellow spacer felt in same place. Tighten adjustment screws the same number of turns you used to loosen them. Most likely you will need adjustments. Do not install engine back. Place your work order on top of lens. When TV has white test pattern, precisely adjust light tunnel for a clean screen display.
Troubleshooting Plasma Display Panels
The symptom is no picture but the relay clicks when the power button is pressed. The above symptom can be caused by a defective Switch Mode Power Supply (SMPS), defective Y board or defective X board. The best way to get started is to verify the operation of the power supply. Specifically verify the Vscan, Vset, Vs and Ve. voltages. The exact voltage values are printed on the label on the back panel. The Vscan and Vset voltages are supplied to the Y board exclusively. The Ve Voltage is applied to the X board exclusively. The Vs voltage is applied to both the Y and X boards. If the Ve voltage is low or missing disconnect the power connector from the SMPS board to the X board. Turn on the unit and check the voltage level, if the voltage goes up the X board is probably defective and should be replaced. If the voltage does not go up the SMPS board is probably defective and needs to be replaced. The unloading technique can also be applied to the Vs, Vset or Vscan voltages applied to the Y board. However, certain PDP units require the load from the Y board to control the power supply. Removing the SMPS connection may cause the supply to shut down. If the SMPS shuts down do a visual inspection of the Y board. Observe at the transistors mounted on the heat sinks looking for cracking or scorch marks. Make sure the capacitors have no bulges at the top or sides. Also, make sure the green fusible resistors are not brown, indicating an over current condition. If the Y board shows any of the above conditions replace it. If a visual inspection yields no results unplug the unit and measure the resistance on the Y board from the Vscan pin to ground, Vset pin to ground and Vs pin to ground at the Y board. . A measurement of less than 500 ohms is an indication that there a short circuit on the board.
TROUBLESHOOTING DLP LIGHT ENGINES
Troubleshooting DLP Light Engines Jim Swift Manager – RTSC Light engines for DLP units have gone through many design changes making them easier to service. As these Televisions go out of warranty, it is not usually cost effective to replace an entire light engine. This article will discuss repairing light engines to the part or board level. A common DLP symptom is no function and all three front panel LEDs blinking. This symptom can be caused by four different items; 1. No Color Wheel Startup 2. Defective Lamp 3. Defective Ballast 4. Defective DMD Board 1. No Color Wheel Startup- The color wheel must start before any other operation in the DLP can commence. Press the power on button and listen for the color wheel to start spinning. If the color wheel does not start spinning it is probably defective. 2. Defective Lamp- Unfortunately there is no way to test the lamp so it must be tested by substituting a known good lamp. Defective lamps may not show any observable flaw, additionally there is no quick way to test a lamp with a multi-meter. 3. Defective Ballast- A properly operating ballast will emit a crackle sound at startup. The crackle sound is the spark gap firing. If the spark gap sound is not heard verify the ~300V supply voltage is present. Also verify Lamp enable signal is being sent from the DMD board. The Lamp enable signal is a 5V peak to peak square wave. If the Lamp Enable signal is missing the DMD board is suspected to be defective. If the Lamp enable and ballast supply voltage is present the ballast is suspected to be defective. 4. Defective DMD Board- Using a process of elimination, if items 1-3 are okay it has to be a defective DMD Board. Verifying the Lamp enable signal described in item 3 is another method of testing the DMD board.